Asheville Report Card: F to fracking maneuver

A crew works on a gas drilling rig at a well site for shale based natural gas in Zelienople, Pa.

The Report Card issues grades A through F, and incompletes where necessary, to a variety of news items in this space. Got an idea that makes the grade? Send it to JBuchanan@CITIZEN-TIMES.com

F to the state Senate's curious maneuvering on fracking. Last week a Senate committee rushed a bill through that allows companies drilling in North Carolina to forgo disclosure of the chemicals they use in the process, which involves drilling and injecting fluid into the target site at high pressure to fracture shale rock to release natural gas.

Last year the legislature set up a commission to create fracking rules, and it was busily crafting the strictest disclosure laws in the nation regarding fracking fluid when the Senate committee stepped in, effectively circumventing it. Charles Taylor of the Mining & Energy Commission said the move was an "insult" and "a gross injustice, not only to this commission and to the staff, but to the citizens of the state." The simple question that seems to be in play here is "does the public have a right to know what's literally being injected into the ground beneath their feet," and the answer appears to be "no.''

F to the awful tragedy in Yarnell, Ariz., Sunday that claimed the lives of 19 firefighters. The raging fire, taking place in blazing heat, killed all but one member of the elite Granite Mountain Hotshots, firefighters renowned for their training and toughness. The public information officer for the Prescott Fire Department, Wade Ward, told NBC's "Today": "We don't know exactly what happened. I can tell you that this is a very elite group of men. I can tell you that it had to be the perfect storm in order for this to happen." It was the single deadliest days for the nation's firefighters since Sept. 11, 2001, and the worst toll in a wildfire since 1933, when a Los Angeles fire claimed 29.

A to a boost for Industries for the Blind Asheville, a nonprofit manufacturer that has landed a $10.5 million military contract for the next year. The contract has allowed IFB to hire new 18 workers as well as recall 12 workers who had been laid off for three months due to the sequester cuts to government spending. IFB workers are now busy making 214,000 special poncho liners ordered for the Marine Corps. IFB has produced every poncho liner for the military for the past 20 years, but the Marines wanted a liner with a zipper that could function as a sleeping bag. They also wanted additional waterproof coating on the outside of the fabric so it would keep soldiers dry without using the poncho. In addition to working as a sleeping bag, the liners can serve as sleeping bag inserts, blankets or ground cover. Longtime IFB worker Annie Davis said, "We are contributing to our men and women in the military, and that's always great to have that feeling."

A to Eblen Charities for its Cooling Assistance Project. Well over 150 fans have been give out to local families battling the heat in recent weeks. Eblen notes, "Families with elderly members, small children and those who are living with illnesses and disabilities ?nd themselves in more and more physical distress as the temperatures continue to rise to near record levels.'' Hopefully, this area won't experience anything like the truly life-threatening heat currently punishing the West Coast and Southwest, but the need here is still clear and is likely to become more pressing as summer kicks into high gear. Fans can be purchased for Eblen for $10; donations can be sent to Eblen Charities at 50 Westgate Parkway Asheville, NC 28806 or by contacting Bill Murdock at 242-2848 or at eblenfound@aol.com

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Asheville Report Card: F to fracking maneuver

The Report Card issues grades A through F, and incompletes where necessary, to a variety of news items in this space.